Matthew Podger

Matthew Podger was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2013 after graduating from BBP Law School. Prior to this, he attended Christ Church, Oxford University, where he studied Jurisprudence (Law).

From 2011 to 2017, Matthew worked at the firm Slaughter and May. During this time, he was seconded twice, first to Allens Linklaters, Australia in 2012, and again in 2016 to Deutsche Bank, London, where he worked in the Special Equities team. From 2017 to 2019, Matthew held the post of associate solicitor in the Financing department of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton.

In 2019, Matthew left the legal profession to pursue an entrepreneurial career in hospitality. After locating a site in Wandsworth, London, he set up Schooner Bar, a fully independent bar business that opened for trading in early 2021. In January 2023, Matthew sold this business, which continues to run under new management and branding.

During the four years in which he ran Schooner Bar, Matthew was involved in all elements of getting the business off the ground and its day-to-day operation. This included creating a business plan and financial models, branding and concept planning, and securing funding and investor negotiations. Matthew was also responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, marketing, supply chain management, employment and training, licensing and planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting.

For recreation, Matthew enjoys listening to music, reading, going to the gym and playing tennis and rugby. He is an extremely keen sailor and a member of several sailing clubs, including the Oxford Cambridge Sailing Society, the Bristol Barracuda Sailing Team and the Oxford University Yacht Club.